Value of a bowl game for this team
Might be premature, but how important is it this year that RR and this team plays in some form of a bowl game, even if it is a Pizza-Pizza type? I know that the players train year round and the coaches are always working, but I think this year's team needs to have those structured practices and final goal in order to really improve. Unlike last year when you had a sense that many of the pieces were going to be gone in a year, this team is dominated largely by underclassmen who will be back next year. I think it would be huge for them to have another month to practice and a meaningful game at the end. I'm not saying New Years Day, but something to play for after the OSU game. Your thoughts?
October 24th, 2009 at 10:54 PM ^
What is, massive?
October 24th, 2009 at 10:56 PM ^
For the Bowl practices. Though the earlier the bowl, the more the practices interfere with class, so the less dedicated to just getting better at football they are. Distractions. But any game is important. They're hurting this year from not having it last year.
And if it's Pizza Pizza I'll save a lot of money on the bowl trip, and they'll have a chance to muck up the state title of CMU's. :-P
October 24th, 2009 at 10:57 PM ^
Well, for one thing, not making a bowl game would mean losing the rest of our games this year. So yes, it's *very* important we make a bowl game.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:00 PM ^
If I'm not mistaken, only wins over FCS teams count toward the 6, so the Delaware State game means nothing, and we need to take down Illinois and Purdue.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:03 PM ^
Don't know if it was talked about on MGoBlog or not..but all wins count. We only need one more..DSU counts.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:03 PM ^
I think it does count.
The broadcast crew said today that a win would make us bowl eligible.
(Not that eveything ESPN says should be automatically taken as fact, but, in this case I think they're right.)
October 24th, 2009 at 11:41 PM ^
Yes, unfortunately, they count. That's why there's a push from some people, even our own Fearless Leader, to do away with allowing FCS games count toward bowl eligibility. Then, borderline bowl teams would be more willing to play big names, eventually squashing hopes of FCS teams everywhere of playing at Michigan ever again. We hope.
October 25th, 2009 at 12:02 AM ^
First of all, Michigan plays in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Delaware State plays in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). I kinda think they should make the names more different to avoid confusion. According to FBS regulations, FBS schools are allowed to count one win over an FCS school towards their six wins for bowl qualification.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:04 PM ^
Yeah, a bowl game would (will) be huge for this team.
-Extra practice. (Insert jokes here)
-Bonding for the young guys. I don't think it can be stressed enough right now how important the development of chemistry on this team is. The more comfortable all of them are the better.
-Gotta start the new streak as soon as possible.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:04 PM ^
That's actually a huge relief, I was distraught and telling my friends today that we needed to win two more...this actually brightens up my day, one more is do-able.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:08 PM ^
As much as today was ugly, we are still big favorites over Illinois and at least slight favorites over Purdue.
But yes, I totally agree. The thought of just getting one more is much more reassuring than two.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:08 PM ^
coaches have always said the players who make the greatest strides during bowl preparation are the young players.
This team could use all the practice it can get. I don't care who, or where or what demeaning sponsorship game it is, it is VITALLY important that Michigan plays in one THIS year.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:14 PM ^
The younger the team, the more important those extra three/four weeks of bowl practices are. So, um, super vital.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:32 PM ^
Lets just win next week and we are in. We are playing Illinois...they are awful. If we can't beat them, then we don't belong in a bowl.
How are we talking about not making a bowl when we have 4 games left and need 1 win...that is sad. We played a bad game, it happens. We are still a lot better than last year.
October 25th, 2009 at 10:23 AM ^
Making it to a bowl game is paramount for this team. Even if it is the Hot n' Ready Bowl...I'll be there.
October 25th, 2009 at 10:38 AM ^
This team needs to take BG's killer instinct example...that's something that's been missing from this team all year long...it's going to take some of that to make anything besides a Motor City Bowl-type berth...